Wild Last Lap Goes LaJoie’s Way

Corey LaJoie celebrates after winning his fifth NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of the year Saurday night at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway. (NASCAR Photo)

Corey LaJoie celebrates after winning his fifth NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of the year Saurday night at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway. (NASCAR Photo)

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Although he might not have started where here wanted in the race, Corey LaJoie finished right where he hoped in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 Saturday at Greenville Pickens Speedway.

LaJoie, who had to start in the rear of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East 22-car field after missing the driver’s meeting during the original race day on Sept. 3, quickly worked his way through the field in the first half of the race and positioned himself in contention for the stretch run. He was in second place on the green-white-checkered two-lap sprint to the finish.

Brett Moffitt, who started from the pole and led all but one lap in the race, was passed by LaJoie in turn three and LaJoie led by a nose coming to the white flag. LaJoie and Moffitt made contact coming out of turn four headed for the checkers and LaJoie cleared the competition for his series-leading fifth victory of the season.

Moffitt ended up making contact with Darrell Wallace Jr. and a melee ensued on the frontstretch. Chase Elliott wound up in second with Jesse Little third.

Kyle Larson, who entered the race as the points leader, finished fourth and Brandon Gdovic fifth.

Sixth through 10th were Bryan Ortiz, Sam Hunt, Moffitt – who slid sideways across the finish line – Sergio Pena, and Eddie MacDonald.

With the win, LaJoie unofficially took over the points lead heading into next week’s season finale at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway. LaJoie now leads Larson by eight points with Moffitt third, 16 points out.

SPEEDSPORT.com is America's Trusted Motorsports Authority. Since 1934, SPEED SPORT has been the destination for all things motorsports news...from NASCAR to Formula 1, Sprint Cars to Top Fuel dragsters, Supercross to Superbikes.